Clarence Edward Gauss (January 12, 1887 – April 8, 1960) was an American diplomat. Personal background Gauss was born in Washington, D.C., as the son of Herman Gauss and Emile J. (Eisenman) Gauss. He married Rebecca Louise Barker in 1917. He was a Republican and a Protestant. Diplomatic career Gauss was a career Foreign Service Officer for the United States Foreign Service. He was posted as U.S. Vice Consul in Shanghai, 1912–15; U.S. Consul in Shanghai, 1916; Amoy, 1916–20; Tsinan, 1920–23; U.S. Consul General in Mukden, 1923–24; Tsinan, 1924–26; Shanghai, 1926–27 (acting), 1935–38; Tientsin, 1927–31; Paris, 1935; Shanghai, 1935-1940. From 1940-41 he served as U.S. Minister to Australia, and was the United States ambassador to the Republic of China during the Second World War. He resigned from the post in November 1944, and was replaced by Patrick Hurley. Chronology U.S. Vice Consul Shanghai, 1912–15 U.S. Consul Shanghai, 1916 Amoy (now Xiamen), 1916–20 Tsinan (now Jinan), 1920–23 U.S. Consul General Mukden (now Shenyang), 1923–24 Tsinan, 1924–26 Shanghai, 1926–27 (acting), 1935–38 Tientsin (now Tianjin), 1927–31 Paris, 1935 Shanghai, 1935-1940 U.S. Minister Australia, 1940-1941 U.S. Ambassador China, 1941-1944 Later life After leaving diplomatic service, Gauss was director of the Export–Import Bank of the United States. He died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles on April 8, 1960. References External links 1887 births 1960 deaths Ambassadors of the United States to Australia Ambassadors of the United States to China Washington, D.C., Republicans Consuls General of the United States in Shanghai United States Foreign Service personnel